Filled with soft scrambled eggs, savory ham, and melty cheese, this Puff Pastry Braid is as beautiful as it is delicious; perfect for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea.
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Why You'll Love this Easy Puff Pastry Braid
This easy puff pastry breakfast recipe is dependable, adaptable, and always makes folks feel like they’re starting the day with something special. The savory combination of buttery puff pastry, fluffy eggs, and melty cheese never fails to impress.
Braided Puff Pastry ranks high on the list of favorites at our bed and breakfast, too—and it’s easy to see why. It looks like it takes hours, but in reality, it comes together quickly with simple ingredients and a few easy folds.
Whether you’re making it for a holiday, a brunch with friends, or just a cozy weekend morning, it’s a recipe you can count on to turn out beautifully every time.
- Beautiful presentation, minimal effort – The braided puff pastry looks bakery-worthy, but it’s quick to assemble with just a few simple steps.
- Nearly foolproof – Puff pastry does most of the work, so you can count on golden, flaky results every time.
- Perfect for any occasion – Elegant enough for holidays and brunch gatherings, but easy enough for a lazy weekend morning.
- Endlessly adaptable – Swap the ham for veggies, change up the cheese, or add fresh herbs to suit your tastes.
- Feeds a crowd – Slices neatly into generous portions, making it easy to share.
Ingredients You'll Need
First off, you'll need puff pastry. If you feel ambitious, you can take it to the next level by making homemade puff pastry; however, I do not personally always feel that ambitious. Here is my rundown of the most readily accessible frozen puff pastry choices:
- Pepperidge Farm – Affordable, easy to work with, and carried by most major grocery chains. A good vegan-friendly option.
- Trader Joe’s – An all-butter version with excellent flavor and flakiness, but it’s typically only available seasonally, in fall and winter.
- Dufour – The most expensive of the three, but worth it for its buttery richness and tender texture. Also very forgiving to work with.
You will also need:
- Cheese – Any good melting cheese will work. Cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, Gruyère, or Gouda are all great choices. For extra depth, try mixing two types.
- Ham (or Not) – Thin-sliced deli ham layers perfectly in the braid. You can swap in turkey, prosciutto, or even cooked bacon—or skip the meat entirely for a vegetarian version.
- Eggs – Large eggs (EU medium) give the right ratio for filling without overwhelming the pastry.
- Butter – If you can, use European-style butter for cooking the eggs. Its higher butterfat content adds extra richness and flavor.
Step-by-Step: How to Braid Your Breakfast
Defrost the Puff Pastry
To defrost the puff pastry, place it in the refrigerator overnight, or for at least 4 hours. Take it out of the fridge about 20 minutes before you intend to roll it out.
You can also defrost it by placing it on the counter at room temp for about an hour, but be careful: if it gets too warm, it won't puff up as much.
Prepare the Scrambled Eggs
In a mixing bowl, beat eggs until light and fluffy. Set aside 2 tablespoons of the beaten egg in a small bowl to make egg wash later.
To the remaining eggs, grate 2 tablespoons of cold butter directly into the eggs.
Put one tablespoon of cold butter in a medium skillet over low heat and swirl until it coats the bottom of the pan. Add the beaten eggs to the center of the pan, allowing them the flow with the butter to the edge of the pan.
Cook low and slow, stirring gently and using a spatula to push the eggs around the pan, until eggs are just wet-set.
Spread the cooked eggs on a parchment-lined plate and place in the freezer for about 5 minutes to cool quickly.
Make the Egg Wash: Mix 2 teaspoons of water into the reserve beaten egg. Set aside.
Assemble the Braid
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
On a lightly floured board, roll out the puff pastry into a rectangle about ⅛ inch thick.
Place the rolled pastry on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Imagine the rectangle in three even sections; left, center, and right. Use a small, sharp paring knife to make evenly spaced cuts ½ inch apart on the left and right sides, beginning at the fold line and going out the the edge. Do not cut into the middle section.
Tip: If you are using Pepperidge Farms Puff Pastry, it will be folded into three sections. To make things easy, start your cuts beginning at the fold line and going out the the edge.
Layer cheese slices down the center section. Layer thinly sliced ham or other meat on top of the cheese. Top the meat layer with the cooled scrambled eggs.
Tip: Avoid overstuffing to prevent leaks during baking.
Beginning on one end, alternate folding the cut pieces over the filling in a slightly angled crisscross pattern, creating a braided appearance. Tuck the ends under.
Brush the assemble braid with the prepared egg wash. Sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or your preferred topping.
Pop the prepared pastry and into the refrigerator for 15 minutes (or the freezer for 5) to chill.
Bake & Serve
Slide the chilled puff pastry roll – parchment and all – onto a room temperature baking sheet. Brush with egg wash and slide into the oven.
Once the oven door is closed, immediately reduce the oven temperature to 400℉ (200℃) and bake 20-25 minutes, until gold brown.
Transfer the baked puff pastry braid to a serving platter, and allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
Slice and serve warm, optionally plated with avocado and mango fans for a fresh, colorful presentation.
Tips for Success
- Chill before baking: Before you pop your puff pastry braid into the oven, let it chill in the fridge for 15 minutes before baking for the best flaky layers.
- Don’t overstuff: Too much filling can cause leaks—less is more.
- Golden finish: Brush with egg wash before baking for that bakery-worthy shine.
- Extra flavor: Sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, poppyseeds, etc. before you bake it.
Filling Variations to Try
This easy puff pastry breakfast recipe has so many options for customizing:
- Meat Choices: Use your favorite protein here - bacon, sausage, turkey, ham, corned beef, seasoned chicken - it really is a smorgasbord of opportunity.
- Cheese Options: Same goes for the cheese options - most melty cheeses work - cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, Gruyere, Gouda, or whatever you like.
- Vegetable Additions: Use you favorite breakfast-forward veggies. Spinach, mushrooms, scallions all add another layer of flavor. You can also use cooked vegetables, like thin-sliced, fried sweet potato rounds.
Here are a few combos that will wake up any breakfast or brunch menu:
Rueben Breakfast Roll: (My favorite!!!) Chopped or thinly sliced corned beef, thinly sliced or grated swiss cheese, sauerkraut (squeeze it dry!), and scrambled eggs. Serve with a side of Russian dressing.
Sweet Potato & Caramelized Onions: Skip the eggs and layer on thinly spiced, fried sweet potatoes and carmelized onions with gruyere or smoked Gouda. (Oh, my gosh - so good, and perfect for vegetarians!)
Greek Breakfast Roll: Layer caramelized onions, fresh spinach, feta, thinly sliced red onions – with or without scrambled eggs – for a delicious, flavorful vegetarian option.
▶︎ Make it Vegan - Use Pepperidge Farms Puff Pastry
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. We do not suggest freezing this recipe.
Reheating: For best results, reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10–15 minutes, or until warmed through. This helps the puff pastry stay crisp. Avoid the microwave: While it will heat the filling, it can make the pastry soggy.
Serving Suggestions
This puff pastry breakfast braid is a centerpiece-worthy dish, so pair it with sides that balance its rich, savory flavors and keep the meal fresh and colorful. Here are a few ideas:
- Fresh Fruit – Sliced melon, berries, or citrus segments add brightness and a pop of color to the plate.
- Avocado Fans – Creamy avocado pairs beautifully with the flaky pastry and can be fanned out for an elegant presentation.
- Light Salads – A simple mixed green salad or fruit salad makes a refreshing counterpoint to the buttery pastry.
- Roasted Potatoes or Hash Browns – For heartier appetites, serve with crispy breakfast potatoes or hash browns.
- Brunch Beverages – Keep it classic with coffee and tea, or offer fresh orange juice, mimosas, or a fruit spritzer.
For an especially pretty plate, slice the braid and serve each portion with a fan of avocado and a few slices of fresh mango—simple touches that make the whole dish feel restaurant-worthy.
Puff Pastry Breakfast Braid
Equipment
- 1 large skillet
Ingredients
- ¼ pound sliced deli ham turkey, or other protein
- ¼ pound thinly sliced cheese cheddar, swiss, gouda, etc.
- 5 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons butter divided
- 1 sheet puff pastry
Instructions
- Defrost the puff pastry by placing it in the refrigerator overnight, or for at least 4 hours. Take it out of the fridge about 20 minutes before you intend to roll it out. You can also defrost it by placing it on the counter at room temp for about an hour, but be careful: if it gets too warm, it won't puff up as much.
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220℃). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Beat eggs until light and fluffy. Set aside 2 tablespoons of beaten egg for making the egg wash. To the remaining eggs, grate in 2 tablespoons cold butter, stirring with a fork to combine.Heat a large skillet over low for 2 minutes. Melt one tablespoon of butter and swirl it around so that it coats the bottom of the pan.Pour the beaten eggs into the center of the pan, allowing them the flow with the butter to the edge of the pan. Cook low and slow, stirring constantly using a spatula to push the eggs around the pan. Remove the eggs from the heat before you think they are ready. Cool on parchment in freezer 5 min. Whisk egg with 2 teaspoons of water for egg wash.
- On a lightly floured board, roll out the puff pastry into a rectangle ⅛ inch thick. Orient the puff pastry so the rectangle is running vertically in front of you. Imagine the rectangle in three even sections; left, center, and right. Use a small, sharp paring knife to make evenly spaced cuts ½ inch apart down the left and right sides, beginning at the fold line and going out the the edge. Do not cut the middle section.
- Place puff pastry on a baking sheet. Layer cheese, ham, and cooled eggs down center. Cut ½-inch strips along sides; braid over filling. Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with seasoning. Chill 15 minutes in the fridge.
- Slide the chilled puff pastry roll onto a room temperature baking sheet. Brush with egg wash and slide into the oven.Once the oven door is closed, immediately reduce the oven temperature to 400℉ (200℃) and bake 20-25 minutes, until gold brown. Allow to rest 5-10 minutes, then slice and serve warm.
- Remove from oven and allow to rest 5-10 minutes, then slice and serve warm.
Notes
- Chill before baking: If the pastry warms up during assembly, pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes before baking for the best flaky layers.
- Don’t overstuff: Too much filling can cause leaks—less is more.
- Golden finish: Always brush with egg wash before baking for that bakery-worthy shine.
- Extra flavor: Sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, or coarse sugar before baking.
Nutrition
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
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